Going small

The Colorado Potato Administrative Committee recommended changes in the minimum grade standards and the USDA published an interim final rule on the changes today. For smaller sizes, the rule changes the minimum grade requirements from U.S. No. 1 grade to U.S. Commercial grade for all varieties under the marketing order, other than round red potatoes. The rule also changes the implementation date for the minimum maturity requirement from Aug. 25 to Aug. 1 of each year. A good discussion of the reasons for the rule change is found in the Federal Register notice. The short version is that consumer demand for smaller potatoes is growing and marketers believe they could better meet buyer needs if Commercial grade No. 2 potatoes were permitted. Small potato volume could increase by about 23% with the rule, the USDA said. I think this is a great example of being bold enough to respond to the market, even when hamstrung by a marketing order structure..